The body of a missing California woman whose sister was killed in an unrelated wrong-way crash a week before was found dead inside a car, authorities announced.

There is a massive manhunt underway for her ex-boyfriend who is a main suspect in the murder.

The body of Karen Garcia, 21, was found in her car parked in a lot outside a Marshalls store in Woodland around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, FOX40 reported. She was first reported missing on Jan. 9, two days after her 19-year-old sister Jessica was killed in a wrong-way crash. Four other people, all 25 years old and under, were pronounced dead.

Garcia initially left her home to go shopping. She then texted her family on Jan. 8 to tell them she was in Roseville and heading to Vacaville, but then never returned.

Garcia’s ex-boyfriend, Salvador Garcia Jr., was named a suspect in the 21-year-old’s death after investigators found “evidence of a homicide” inside her apartment, Colusa Police Department said on Monday.

Colusa resident Karen Garcia was reported by her family as missing on January 9th 2018. The initial report was taken by the Willams Police Department. Garcia and her vehicle were subsequently entered into the missing person’s database as the investigation continued.

Garcia and her vehicle were last seen in Colusa on January 8th, 2018 at approximately 12:00 P.M. A joint investigation was initiated with the Williams Police Department, Colusa Police Department, Colusa County District Attorney’s Office and the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office.

During the investigation a search warrant was served at Garcia’s residence located on the 400 block of Oak St. in Colusa. Evidence found during the search warrant revealed evidence of a homicide.

On January 14th, 2018, at approximately 3:45 P.M. investigators received information that the vehicle was located in a parking lot in Woodland, California.

Garcia’s vehicle and deceased body were recovered at the scene. Salvador Garcia Jr. (pictured) has been identified as a suspect in the homicide and is wanted by law enforcement. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Salvador Garcia is encouraged to contact the Colusa Police Department.

Contact: Chief Joshua Fitch
530-458-7777

Garcia Jr. told the Sacramento Bee last week that he and his ex-girlfriend have known each other since the third grade. They dated for nine years before breaking up this year and had a 2-year-old daughter together, CBS Sacramento reported.

“She loves her family,” he said. “She’s one of the most upbeat people you’ll ever meet.”

Karen Garcia’s family told FOX40 last week the 19-year-old’s death was “probably just so hard” for the grieving sister to comprehend.